Press Room

Hyde Receives Two Prestigious IMLS Grants

MEDIA RELEASE

THE HYDE RECEIVES TWO PRESTIGIOUS IMLS GRANTS

Glens Falls, NY—The Hyde Collection was awarded two grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services for 2004 projects and activities: a Conservation Project Support (CPS) grant in the amount of $50,000 to support the purchase and installation of a state-of-the-art compact storage system and a Museum Assessment Program (MAP) grant for $2,986, which will help fund a public dimension survey to begin this summer. These two federal grants will help The Hyde meet its mission-driven goals over the next two years and continue to enhance its service to the community and its collection.

Conservation Project Support (CPS) Grant

Thanks to a grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), The Hyde Collection will begin installing a high-density art storage system in the recently constructed expansion wing this fall. Combined with a matching grant from the New York State Council on the Arts, the $50,000 IMLS grant will allow the Museum to move forward with the purchase of the equipment, which will help the Museum protect and conserve its collection for future generations.

"Given the current funding environment, The Hyde is both exceedingly grateful and proud to receive such a competitive award," remarked the Museum’s director, Randall Suffolk, "These funds will have an immediate impact on our ability to better care for the collection."

The growth of the collection and the Museum’s active exhibition schedule necessitated the construction of a new art storage area, which now provides better access to the collection as well as a secure area where the works can be housed, exhibitions prepared, and traveling exhibitions received. Upon the implementation of the storage system, The Hyde Collection will have succeeded in assuring the maximum protection, accessibility, and viewing of the collection.

Conservation Project Support (CPS) awards funds a wide range of projects to help museums safeguard their collections, including conservation training, surveys, and treatment. Museums of every type, from art to zoo, are eligible for funding. These grants, which are awarded by a competitive peer review process, help museums undertake their most critical conservation activities. During this granting cycle, 186 applications were submitted totaling $6,369,363 in requests. IMLS awarded CPS grants to 66 museums (a total of $2,406,478).

"IMLS is dedicated to creating and sustaining a nation of learners by helping museums and libraries better serve their communities," said IMLS Director Robert Martin. "The grants we make today will ensure the cultural, historical, natural, and scientific collections in America’s museums are available for a lifetime of learning for generations to come."

Museum Assessment Program (MAP) Grant

Additionally, The Hyde Collection was awarded a 2004 Museum Assessment Program grant from IMLS in the amount of $2,986 in order to conduct a Public Dimension survey.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services awarded $390,776 in Museum Assessment Program (MAP) grants to 144 museums across the country. MAP is a cooperative program between IMLS and the American Association of Museums (AAM) designed to help museums assess their strengths and weaknesses and plot a course for future improvements. IMLS provides grants to museums to participate in MAP, which is administered by the AAM.

MAP includes the completion of a self-study workbook, an on-site visit by a museum professional (Surveyor), and a confidential report of recommendations for change.

IMLS Director Robert Martin notes, "The MAP grants we make today will improve professional museum practices and strengthen services enabling these institutions to provide a lifetime of learning to their constituents." MAP offers four types of assessments: Institutional Assessment – reviews the museum’s entire management and operations; Collections Management Assessment – focuses on a review of collections use, planning, policies, and procedures within the context of the museum’s total operation; Public Dimension Assessment – evaluates how the museum collaborates with its community and audiences; and Governance Assessment – examines the roles, responsibilities and performances of museum governing authorities and advisory boards. The Hyde received a MAP grant for the Public Dimension Assessment.

IMLS is a federal grant-making agency located in Washington, D.C. that fosters leadership, innovation and a lifetime of learning by supporting museums and libraries.

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Current Exhibition:Masterworks: Selections from the New Britain Museum of American Art, May 22 through October 3, 2004.

The Hyde Collection is a historic house and art museum complex that combines the heritage of the Adirondack Region with a distinguished permanent collection consisting of works by European old and modern masters and American artists, important decorative arts and antique furnishings. In addition, the Museum provides changing exhibitions in four gallery spaces, lectures, concerts, family activities and school programming as well as a Museum Store. Admission is FREE with voluntary donations accepted. The Hyde Collection is a publicly supported institution located at 161 Warren Street, Glens Falls, New York. Open year-round Tuesday-Saturday 10 am - 5 pm, and Sunday noon - 5 pm., Closed Mondays and national holidays. Admission is FREE. For information, call 518-792-1761. www.hydecollection.org.